I doubt it.
But they might have gathered if the duckling was facing the other direction. Close proximity may be the only feature that is present at all gatherings (although, possibly, some people might gather for a conference call, even though each person is at least 100km from any other).
Another typical feature of gatherings is that the gatherers intend to be near some or all of the others involved but, again, this might not be true of all gatherings: some gatherings are accidental. Consider the next image. Here are four ducks. They might have gathered. But if so, they seem to have gathered unwillingly. No eye-contact. None is facing the direction of the others. But all are moving towards one-another (backwards). Still, why are they not gathering with the capsized canoeist (or are they?)?
In the next picture we have Ducks moving in a circle around a fallen branch. I think they are not gathering, even though each is moving towards another duck.
I will post more images of ducks engaged in nebulous gathering-like situations as I draw them.